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Sunday, 21 August 2011

35. 3ds Max Quicktip: Orbiting Objects

Today is time for another nice and simple tip, but one you will use countless times throughout your day. When wanting to orbit objects in the active viewport, I would recommend using the CTRL+R shortcut combination. This allows for faster spinning directly in the viewport.

Now you should see a different gizmo in the viewport, as below. Below we look at why this is important.

You should also notice how the cursor is behaving. All it is concerned with is spinning that model. Using the other, and more traditional, method of middle mouse and ALT, you will notice that the cursor is also expecting you to select a model. Adding extra calculations into the mix, and inevitably slowing things down slightly. Hence why I would always strongly recommend using CTRL+R for orbiting geometry within 3ds Max.

I would also ensure you have enabled the ‘Orbit selected’ option in 3ds Max’s interface.

To enable ‘Orbit Selected’ Left-Click and hold over the icon shown at the bottom of the list (blue background), and then choose the flyout button which is highlighted below.

Now when you spin, the viewport will always be focused on the object you are working on, i.e. have selected. This ensures it remains your focus, and don’t waste time chasing it around the viewport when it disappears.

Comments

35. 3ds Max Quicktip: Orbiting Objects

Today is time for another nice and simple tip, but one you will use countless times throughout your day. When wanting to orbit objects in the active viewport, I would recommend using the CTRL+R shortcut combination. This allows for faster spinning directly in the viewport.

Now you should see a different gizmo in the viewport, as below. Below we look at why this is important.

You should also notice how the cursor is behaving. All it is concerned with is spinning that model. Using the other, and more traditional, method of middle mouse and ALT, you will notice that the cursor is also expecting you to select a model. Adding extra calculations into the mix, and inevitably slowing things down slightly. Hence why I would always strongly recommend using CTRL+R for orbiting geometry within 3ds Max.

I would also ensure you have enabled the ‘Orbit selected’ option in 3ds Max’s interface.

To enable ‘Orbit Selected’ Left-Click and hold over the icon shown at the bottom of the list (blue background), and then choose the flyout button which is highlighted below.

Now when you spin, the viewport will always be focused on the object you are working on, i.e. have selected. This ensures it remains your focus, and don’t waste time chasing it around the viewport when it disappears.